Floristic and structural distinctness of monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest in the western Congo Basin

Monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest in the western Congo Basin is both structurally and floristically distinct from adjacent mixed terre firme forests, with significant implications for conservation planning and carbon stock calculations. This study reveals that G. dewevrei forests exhibit lower stem density but a higher proportion of larger trees (>70 cm), suggesting greater carbon storage potential. Additionally, 56 vascular plant species are uniquely associated with these monodominant stands, further underscoring their ecological uniqueness. Researchers analyzed plot inventories and herbarium specimens from the Sangha Trinational to compare structural attributes (e.g., stem density, basal area) and species composition between forest types. The findings highlight the need to treat G. dewevrei forests separately in conservation strategies and carbon modeling efforts.

Heimpel, E., Ahrends, A., Dexter, K. G., Hall, J. S., Mamboueni, J., Medjibe, V. P., Morgan, D., Sanz, C., & Harris, D. J. (2024). Floristic and structural distinctness of monodominant Gilbertiodendron dewevrei forest in the western Congo Basin. Plant Ecology and Evolution, 157(1), 55–74. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.111539